Radio picture system and apparatus



Dec.`9, 1958 R, H. RINES 863,941

RADIO PICTURE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet lDec. 9, 1958 R. H. RlNEs RADIO PICTURE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed March18, 19514 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F a Mr @Zim llnited States l@arent @nime l2,863,941 Patented Dec. 9, 1958 2,863,941 RADll PllCTURE SYSTEM ANDAPPARATUS Robert Harvey Rines, Brookline, Mass.

Application March 18, 1944, Serial No. 527,375

47 Claims. (Cl. 178-6.S)

The present invention relates to electric systems, and more particularlyto radio-receiving systems that, while having more general fields ofusefulness, are especially adapted for use in television.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedradio-receiving system.

Another object is to provide a new and improved television system.

Another object is to provide a novel combined radioand-televisionsystem.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedradio-locator system for both detecting the presence of a body andrendering it visible.

Other and further objects will be explained hereinafter and will be moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention will now be more fully .explained in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a diagrammatic view ofcircuits and apparatus arranged and constructed in accordance with apreferred embodiment thereof; Fig. 2 is a view of a modification; Fig, 3is a diagram showing an airplane object from which radio waves arerefiected and scattered to the receiving system of Fig. l; and Fig. 4 isa view of a further modification.

An electromagnetic-wave generator 4 is shown exciting a dipole 2 toproduce ultra-high-frequency pulsed-radio energy, say, of 3 or 1.5centimeters wave-length. A continuous-wave or any other type ofmodulated-wave generator may be employed, but pulsed energy, at present,has the advantages of economy and easy high-power ultra-high-frequencygeneration.

The waves emitted by the dipole 2 may be directed by a reflector 3 upona parabolic reflector 6. The parabolic reflector 6 is shown directingthe waves toward an object, say, an airplane 8, from which they arereflected and scattered toward a receiving station,

At the receiving station, the radio waves reflected and scattered fromthe object 8 may be focused by an electromagnetic dielectric lens 5,such as of polystyrene, upon a receiving mosaic, bank or array 7comprising a plurality of normally ineffective insulated radio-waveabsorbingand-rectifying pick-up unit antenna elements. These may beconstituted of small beads or globules of silicon, uranium oxide orother similar crystal pick-up-unit detecting elements. Small crystalbeads or globules of uranium oxide or other such pick-up unit elementsmay, for example, be set into an insulating supporting disc 9 in theface at the screen end of an oscilloscope-like member 89. Any othersimilar mosaic of radio-wave absorbing-and-rectifying crystals may beemployed. The dielectric lens may be replaced by any other type of Wellknown radio lens, mirror or other directive system for focusing an imageof the electromagnetic energy scattered and reflected from the object 8on the bank or array 7 of the pick-up antenna elements.

The pick-up elements of the bank or array 7 are shown arranged in twodimensions, along rows and columns, in the proximity of the focus of thelens 5. The first or uppermost row of the bank is illustrated ascomprising the unit elements 10, 12, 14, 16, etc., shown as equallyspaced horizontally. The second row from the top is shown comprising theunit elements 18, 20, 22, etc. The third or next-lower row is showncomprising the unit elements 24, 26, etc., and so on for the remainingrows of pick-up elements. Though only a small number of pick-up antennaunits is shown in each row, this is merely for illustrative purposes,and in order not to confuse the disclosure. It will be understood that,in

practice, a large number of pick-up units will be employed n each row.

The pick-up antenna units 10, 18, 24, etc., are arranged in. the firstor right-hand column. The units 12, 20, 26, etc., are disposed in thesecond column from the right. The elements 14, 22, etc., are disposed inthe third column from the right; and so on for the remaining columns ofelements. There may be as many columns as there are pick-up units ineach row. Though each column is shown as comprising only a few units,this is again in order not to complicate the drawings.

The pick-up units will, of course, all receive the reflected orscattered radio waves through the lens S simultaneously. There will befocused on each pick-up unit a radio-frequency field strengthcorresponding to thescattering from a corresponding area of the object8.

The bank of silicon, uranium-oxide or other similar detecting crystalswill act to absorb and rectify the energy incident on the array 7 ofantenna units. Silicon and uranium-oxide detectors and similar crystalsare known to absorb radio-frequency energy, and to exhibit highnegative-temperature coefiicients of resistance. Because of this highnegative-temperature coefficient of resistance, the resistance of theuranium-oxide or other crystal beads will change with the intensity ofthe impinging radio-frequency energy. The pick-up elements will thusabsorb different field strengths of radio energy, corresponding to theamount of energy reflected or scattered from the various parts of theobject 8 and converged as a radio-wave image upon the array 7 of pick-upelements by the lens 5. In accordance with the present invention, aswill presently be explained, a radiowave-energy distribution becomesthus focused upon the array 7 to produce a radio-energy image or pictureof the object 3, specific elemental areas of which will correspond tospecific elemental areas of the object 8.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention that is hereinillustrated and described, this radioenergy image or picture of theobject 8 thus received by the pick-up units may lbe converted into avisible image, picture or likeness 123 of the object 8 upon thefluorescent viewing screen or face 106 of a display electrostaticcathode-ray receiving or presentation oscilloscope 90.

The invention provides means for first rendering the normallyineffective pick-up units 10, 12, 15, 16, etc., of the first rowsuccessively effective momentarily in the display circuits; for thenrendering the pick-up units 18, 20, 22, etc., of the second rowsuccessively effective momentarily; for then rendering the pick-up units24, 26, etc., of the third row successively effective momentarily; andso on, in two-dimensional order. This result may be attained by scanningthe pick-up elements with an electron stream, as will hereinafter bemore fully explained.

The beads 10, 12, 14, 16, etc., of the rst row are all connected to aconducting strip 43, grounded through a common conductor 78. The beads18, 20, 22, etc., of the second row are similarly shown all connected toa similarly grounded strip 51. The beads 24, 26, etc.,

ofithe'third row are'similarlyI shown all connected to a third similarlygrounded strip 57, and so on.

The cathode-ray-oscilloscope-like member 89 is shown provided with agrounded cathode 95, a control-grid electrode 934 and an anode 97;Electrons emitted from' the cathode 95 will become enabled, in responseto proper-stimulation ofthe grid 93, to travel past the grid 93 to theanode 97. The electrons will continue to travel in a stream past theanode 97, between a pair of vertically disposed horizontal-,defiectorplates 99 and 101, of which the plate 99 is shown grounded, and between,4. impinges manifests itself first in the above-described crystalcircuits lto ground and, through these circuits, in the input circuit ofthe grounded preferably linear amplifier 79.`

The scanning of these crystals may obviously also operate on theprinciple of change in electron-beam current, upon impinging on surfacesof various potentials.

As-the stream hits these crystals of different potentials, a change inbeam current occurs, which manifests ltself a pair off horizontallydisposed vertical-deflector plates 103'and` 105, of vwhich the plate 05is shown grounded,

to impinge' finallyon the rinsulating supporting disc 9 of lhorizontal-deiiector plate 99 and the vertically disposedhoriiontaldeiie`ctor plate 101, will cause the electron streamfrom thecathode 95 to become deflected horizontally for each horizontal sweep,and a vertical-sweeptime base, applied to the horizontally disposeddef-lector plates 103 andV 105, will cause the electron stream from thecathode 95 to become deflected vertically.

The rows of pick-up units may be positioned along the successive pathsof the electron stream in order to enable the electron stream to'impingeon them as the electron stream successively sweeps over the successiverows of crystal beads of the array 7. Horizontally disposed lines ofcrystal elements will thus be scanned by the electron stream. Y v

One of the surfaces of each crystal pick-up element is thus vexposed tothe incoming radio waves, and the other surface is exposed, within thecathode-ray tube member S9, to the electron stream.

The bank 7 of crystal globules may be scanned according to either of twoprinciples or according to a combination ofthe same.

One principle involves measuring the variation in the resistance of eachcrystal pick-up unit of the bank 7 at the moment that the electronstream impinges upon it. This provides a measure of the resistanceacross each crystal, indicative of the intensity of the radio-frequencyenergy impinged upon that particular crystal and absorbed therebydirectly from the radio field. Because of the high negative-temperaturecoefficient of resistance of the crystals, their resistance will changewith the intensity of the impiuging radio-frequency energy. Theradio-frequencyl energy will also become rectified to producedirect-current potential differences across the resistance of thecrystals. This results from the rec'tifying or detecting properties ofthe crystals in the above-described radio-receiving circuits traceablefrom the crystal electrodes through the crystals to the groundedconductor 78. These variations of resistance and potential arerepresentative of the radio-frequency energy impinged on the crystals bythe lens 5 and impressed on these circuits. The resulting resistance andpotential variations on the crystals will become manifest incorresponding circuits, as the crystals are traversed successively,during the scanning process, by the electron stream from the cathode 95of the member 89.

According to the secondprinciple, advantage is taken ofthedirect-current voltage impressed across each crystal. This voltage isproportional to the intensity of the radio-frequency energy received bythe corresponding crystal, as communicated to the said receivingcircuits. With the aid of this principle, it becomes possible to measurethe change of current along the electron stream as the electron streamtraverses areas of different directcurrent potential. As the electronstream, during the scanning, travels across and impinges upon thesuccessively disposed crystals, the change in the electron-streamcurrentfresultingfrom the different potentials across the variablyresistive crystalsupon which the electron stream in the input circuit ofthe amplifier 79.

Mosaics of silicon, as shown in Fig. 1, alternate sections of siliconand metal, as shown in' Fig. 4, or dielectric and silicon, may bemounted in the disc 9 of the oscilloscope 89, and may similarly be usedas a scanning mosaic. Radio-frequency energy impinged on the metalsections 200, 202, etc., will produce rectified voltages across thedjacently disposed silicon sections 201, 203, etc., in theradio-receiving circuits traceable from the metal sections through theadjacently disposed silicon sections yby way of the common lead 78. Therectifying sections of silicon may follow the square law in theirresponse, but this can be compensated for by proper design oftheamplifier 79 (page 492 of Ultra High Frequency Techniques, byEra-inerti, Koehler, Reich and*- Woodruff, 1942 edition) The exposedsilicon sections will also absorb' radio energy and exhibit anegative-resistance' effect; The electron scanning of the successivesilicon sectionsV will thus operate, as before' described, to measurethe resistance variation of the sections, or the change in beam currentupon impinging oni sections of different potential, or according to acombination of the two principles.

As the electronstream produced from the cathode 95, in response toappropriate horizontal sweep-time-base voltages applied to thevertically disposed deflector plates 99 and 101 of thecathode-ray-tube-like member 89, travels across the pick-up elements inVthe disc 9, they will successively discharge into the amplifier '79, byway of the 'conductor 78. i be replaced by a bank of linear amplifiers,one corresponding to each of the pick-up elements.

The output of the amplifier 79 will obviously vary, at successiveinstants, in accordance with the radio-frequency energy received by thesuccessive corresponding pick-up elements.

A pulse generator 403 may be employed to trigger aVhorizontal-time-base-sweep circuit 63 and a verticalsweep circuit 69,according to conventional and wellknown television technique. The pulsegenerator 40 may feed, through an attenuator and rectifier ll, to anoscilla.- tor or any similar or equivalent television circuit. One suchcircuit is shown as a pulse-recurrence-frequency multiplier 65, forapplying many p ulses corresponding to each radio-frequency pulse fortheI period between successive radio pulses, to trigger thehorizontal-sweep circuit r63. The horizontal-time-base sweep willthereby be produced between the vertically disposed deiiector plates 99and 101, occurring as many times, say, between successiveradio-frequency' transmissions, as there are rows of pick-up antennaelThe pulse generator 40' may also feed, through the attenuator andrectifier 1, to trigger the vertical-sweep circuit 69, oncecorresponding to every radio-frequency transmission, One vertical sweepwill then occur between the horizontally disposed plates 103, 105 duringthe period between successive radiopulse transmissions, corresponding toas many horizontal sweeps as there are rows of antennae, causing each ofthe horizontal sweeps to appear at successively lower levels on theoscilloscope-sweep faces.

lf theV circuit 65 comprises an oscillator, the oscillations may beemployed to trigger the horizontal sweep. The period of the oscillationswhich, as previously explained, is much less than the duration of eachradio pulse, corresponds to the time of sweep across one row ofthe'pick-up units in the disc 9,

I-f desired, the amplifier 79y may` Y f, as previously mentioned,continuous-wave radio transmission is employed, the vertical-sweepcircuit 69 may be triggered to produce one vertical sweep correspondingto as many horizontal sweeps from the horizontal-sweep circuit 63 asthere are rows of receiving units.

Means is provided for producing, upon the screen 106 of the displayoscilloscope 90, images corresponding to the radio-frequency energyreceived by the corresponding pick-up mosaic antenna elements. Thescreen 106 is illuminated by an electron stream in the oscilloscope 90.This electron stream is synchronized to travel with the electron streamof the cathode-ray-tubelike member 89. The horizontal-sweep circuit 63is connected to the horizontal-deector plate 100 of the oscilloscope 90by a conductor 67, and to the horizontal-deiiector plate 101 of Vtheoscilloscope-like member 89 by the conductor 67 and a conductor 124. Thevertical-sweep circuit 69 is connected to the vertical-deector plate 102of the oscilloscope 90 by a conductor 71, and to the vertical-dei'lectorplate 103 of the oscilloscope-like member 89 by the conductor 71 and aconductor 146.

The amplifier 79 is connected, by conductors 84 and 86, to aphase-inverter stage or stages 81 which, in turn, is connected, byconductors 85 and 87, to the controlgrid electrode 92 and the cathode 94of the oscilloscope 90. The mosaic beads become thus successivelyconnected, through the amplifier 79 and the phase-inverter 81, to thecontrol electrode 92. Electrons emitted from the cathode 94 will becomeenabled, in response to the action of the amplifier 79 and thephase-inverter 81, to pass by the grid 92, to the anode 96 of theoscilloscope tube 90. The electrons will continue to travel in a streamfrom the anode 96, between the pair of vertically disposed oscilloscopedeflector plates 98 and 100, of which the plate 9S is shown grounded,and between the pair of horizontally disposed oscilloscope deflectorplates 102 and 104, of which the plate 104 is shown grounded, to impingenally on the fluorescent viewing screen 106 of the oscilloscope 90.

The horizontal-sweep-tirne base applied to the vertically disposeddeflector plates 98 and 100 will cause the electron stream from thecathode 94 to become deflected horizontally, and thevertical-sweep-tirne base, applied to the horizontally disposeddeflector plates 102 and 104, will cause the electron stream to becomedeected vertically, in synchronism with the horizontal and verticalsweeps scanning the mosaic 7 of the oscilloscope-like member 89.

After each simultaneous horizontal sweep of both the oscilloscope 90 andthe oscilloscope-like member 89 has been completed, a successivelylarger voltage will be applied to the horizontally disposed deectorplates 103, 105 and 102, 104 respectively, by the vertical-sweepcircuit. After the last such horizontal sweep, the voltage between thehorizontally disposed plates 103, 105 and 102, 104 will become restoredto zero. The next horizontal sweep, therefore, will start again at thefirst or top row.

Successively disposed areas of the screen 106 of the oscilloscope 90will therefore correspond to the similarly disposed mosaic-antennasections in the disc 9 of the oscilloscope-like member 89. Each spotalong a particular horizontal sweep, therefore, will become brightenedon the screen 106 according to the amount of radio energy received bythe corresponding pick-up elements, and fed, by way of the amplifier 79and the phase-inverting-and-amplifying circuit 81, to the controlelectrode 92 of the cathode-ray oscilloscope 90.

A more sensitive video signal device might be any well-knownresistance-measuring circuit, such as a bridge detector of, say theWheatstone construction. If the uranium-oxide or other crystal globuleshave their resistances connected in a direct-current series circuit,then the bank of beads may serve as an extremely sensitive 6radio-detecting element of a Wheatstone bridge, in which they may bebalanced against fixed elements 212, 214 and 216, as shown in Fig. 2.The short-circuiting of each successive globule or resistance by theelectron stream, diagrammatically shown as short-circuiting switches205, 207, 209, 211, in parallel with the globules 204, 206, 208, 210,would thus be markedly indicated in the amplifier 79 and fed to thecontrol electrode 92 of the display oscilloscope 90.

Though the tubes and 89 have been described as operating upon theelectrostatic principle, it will be understood that magnetic-deflectionmeans or a combination of magnetic and electrostatic means may equallywell be employed.

Although the invention has been described in connection withmosaic-antennae arranged in rows and columns, it will be understood thatthis is not essential, for other arrangements are also possible.Antennae arranged along concentric circles covering the field, or acontinuous spiral, will also serve, though the oscilloscope arrangementwould, of course, be correspondingly modified.

Further modifications will occur to persons skilled in the art, and allsuch are considered to fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An electric system having in combination, an oscilloscope-like memberhaving a mosaic of absorbingand-rectifying radio-receiving elements andmeans for producing an electron stream for impinging on the mosaic,means for focusing radio energy on the mosaic, means for causing theelectron stream to scan the mosaic, `and means controlled by theelectron stream, as it scans the mosaic, for indicating variations inresistance or potential of the elements in response to the action of thefocused radio waves.

2. An electric system having, in combination, an oscilloscope-likemember having a mosaic of absorbing-andrectifying radio-receivingelements and means for producing an electron stream for impinging on theelements, means for focusing radio energy on the mosaic, means forcausing the electron stream to scan the elements, means controlled bythe radio waves focused on the mosaic for producing varying potentialson the elements of the mosaic, and means controlled by the electronstream, as it scans the elements, for indicating variations in thecurrent of the electron stream.

3. An electric system having, in combination, an oscilloscope-likemember having a mosaic of absorbing-andrectifying radio-receivingelements and means for producing an electron stream for impinging on themosaic, means for focusing radio energy on the mosaic, means for causingthe electron stream to scan the mosaic, and means controlled by theelectron stream, as it scans the mosaic, for indicating variations inresistance of the elements in response to the action of the focusedradio waves, the last-named means comprising a balanced bridge.

4. A11 electric system having, in combination, an oscilloscope having ascreen and means for producing an electron stream impinging on thescreen, an oscilloscopelike member having an insulating support andmeans for producing an electron stream impinging on the support, thesupport having a plurality of radio-receiving elements, means forfocusing radio energy on the radio-receiving elements, and meansoperable in response to the energy received by the radio-receivingelements for causing the first-named electron stream to produce upon thescreen a likeness corresponding to the energy received by theradio-receiving elements.

5. An electric system having, in combination, an oscilloscope having afirst screen, a control electrode and means for producing an electronstream impinging on the screen, an oscilloscope-like member having asecond screen and means for producing an electron stream im- Pillgngnthe second screen, the Ysecond screen having a plurality-Qiradio-receiving.elements, means for. focusing radio ,energy on theradiogreceiving elements, means for causing lthe elements .to 4bescanned by the secondnamed electron stream, ,and lmeans controlled bythe change in resistance of the elements, in response to the action ofthe focused radio waves, for controlling the control electrode, therebyto ,cause the electron stream to produce upon the first screenVa'likeness corresponding to the energy focused Upon Vtheradio-receiving elements.

6. An electric system having, in combination, an oscilloscope 4,having afirst screen, aicontrol ,electrode and means for producing an electronstream impinging on Vthe screen, an oscilloscope-like member having .asecond screen and means for producing an electron stream impinging onthe second screen, the second screen having a plurality ofradio-receiving elements, means for focusing radio energy on theradio-receiving elements, means for causing the elements to Abe scannedby the secondnamed electron stream, means controlled by radio wavesfocused Von the radio-receiving Velements for producing varyingpotentials on the radio-receiving elements, means controlled by thesecond-named electron stream, as it scans the second screen, forproducing variations in the current of the second-named'electron stream,and means controlled by the variations in the said current for producingupon the iirst screen a likeness corresponding to the energy focusedupon the radio-receiving elements.

7. A bridge having arms one of which comprises a mosaic ofradio-receiving elements exhibiting a negative temperature coeicient ofresistance on exposure to radio waves, and indicating means controlledby the radioreceiving elements.

8. An electric system having, in combination, a mosaic of insulatedradio-receiving elements, means for producing an electron streamimpinging on the elements, means for focusing radio energy on themosaic, an oscilloscope having a screen and means for producing anelectron stream impinging on the screen, and means operable in responseto the energy received by the radio-receiving elements for causing thesecond-named electron stream to produce upon the screen a likenesscorresponding to the energy received by the radio-receiving elements.

9. A bridge having arms one of which comprises a plurality ofradio-receiving and absorbing elements, and means for indicatingvariations in the balance of the bridge in response to radio wavesreceived by the elements.

10. A bridge having a plurality of arms connected together to form aplurality of pairs of vertices, one of the arms having radio-receivingand absorbing means, an input circuit connected to one of the pairs ofvertices, and an output circuit connected to another pair of vertices.

1l. A bridge having four arms connected together to form two pairs ofoppositely disposed vertices, one of the arms having radio-receiving andabsorbing means, an input circuit connected to one of the pairs ofvertices, and an output circuit connected to the'other pair ot vertices.

12. A bridge having four arms connected together to form two pairs ofoppositely disposed vertices, one of the arms having a plurality ofradio-receiving and absorbing elements, an input circuit connected toone of the pairs of vertices, and an output circuit connected to theother pair ofv vertices.

13. A bridge having four arms connected together to form two pairs ofoppositely disposed vertices, one of the arms having a plurality ofseries-connected radioreceiving elements, an input circuit connected toone of the pairs of vertices, and an output circuit connected to vtheother pair of vertices.

one of the pairs of vertices, an `output circuit connected to the otherpair of vertices, andmeans .for rendering the' elements successivelyeffective.

l5. An electric system having,in combination, a plurality of insulatedradio-receiving elements each having a terminal, means fory producing anelectron stream impingingon the elements, a bridge circuit to which theterminals are connected to connect the elements into an arm of thebridge, and means for causing the electron stream to scan the elements,thereby to vary the balance oi the bridge circuit. Y f

16. An electric system having, in combination, a bridge having aplurality of arms connected together to form4 a plurality of pairs ofvertices, one vofthe arms having radio-receiving-and-rectifying means,means lfor producing an electron stream for impingingA on theradio-receiving-and-rectifying means, and means for causing the electronstream to scan the radio-receiving-and-rectifying means.

17. An electric system having, in combination,radioreceiving-and-rectifying means, means for producing an electronstream for impinging on the radio-receiVingandrectifying means, meansfor causing the electron stream to scan theradio-receiving-and-rectifying means, and means controlled by theelectron stream, asv it scans `the radio-receiving-and-rectifying means,for detecting variations in potential of theradio-receiving-and-rectifying means.

18. An electric system having, in combination,radioreceiving-and-rectifying means, means for producing an electronstream for impinging on the radio-receiving-andrectifying means, meansfor causing the electron stream to scan theradio-receiving-and-rectifying means, means controlled by the radiowaves received by the radio-receiving-and-rectifying means for producingvarying potentials on the radio-receiving-and-rectifying means, andmeans controlled by the electron stream, as it scans theradio-receiving-and-rectifying means, for detecting variations in thecurrent of the electron stream.

19. An electric system having, in combination, a first electron tubehaving a screen and means for producing a rst electron stream impingingon the screen, a second electron tube having an plurality of insulatedradio-receiving elements and means for producing a second electronstream impinging on the elements, and means operable in response to theenergy received by the radio-receiving elements and cooperative with thesecond electron stream for causing the rst electron stream to produceupon the screen a likeness corresponding to the energy received by theradio-receiving elements.

20. An electric system having, in combination, radioreceiving means theresistance of which varies in rcsponse to the received radio waves,means for producing an electron stream impinging on the radio-receivingmeans, means for causing the electron stream to scan the radio-receivingmeans, an electric circuit in which the radio-receiving means isconnected, and means for directing radio energy on the radio-receivingmeans to produce resistance changes in the radio-receiving means,thereby to vary the current in the circuit as the electron stream scansthe radio-receiving means.

2l. An electric system having, in combination, radioreceiving means thepotential voi which varies in response to the received radio waves,means for producing an electron stream impinging on the radio-receivingmeans, means for causing the electron stream to scan the radioreceivingmeans, an electric circuit in which the radioreceiving means isconnected, and means for directing radio energy on the radio-receivingmeans to produce potential changes in the radio-receiving means, therebyto vary the current in the circuit as the electron stream scans theradio-receiving means.

2 2. An electron tube having for employment with the electrons therein acrystal element of silicon and the like 9. electrically connected withat least one conductor to provide rectifying characteristics by suchconnection.

23. An electric system having, in combination, a mosaic comprising atwo-dimensional array of radio-receiving elements for receiving radioWaves from an object, means for producing an electron stream impingingon the mosaic, means for causing the stream to scan the mosaic intwodimensional order, a normally ineffective electric circuit in whichthe elements are connected for producing a likeness corresponding to theradio energy received by the elements from the object, and meanscontrolled in synchronism with the scanning means for rendering thecircuit successively effective to produce successive portions of alikeness of the object in two-dimensional order synchronously with thereception of the radio energy from the object by the receiving elements.

24. In combination, means for imaging radio waves from a scene to berecorded, a radio wave pick-up device comprising a crystal detector,means for scanning the said radio wave image by said pick-up device andconverting the energy thus picked up into an electrical signal, an imagereproducing means, means for operating said image reproducing means insynchronism with said scanning, and means for supplying said signal tosaid reproducing means whereby a picture of said scene is obtained.

25. In combination, means for imaging radio waves from a scene to bereproduced, a radio-Wave pick-up device comprising crystal detectormeans, means for scanning an area successive portions of whichcorrespond to successive portions of the radio-wave image, meanscontrolled in accordance with the scanning for converting the energypicked up by the pick-up device from the different portions of the imageinto corresponding electrical signals, a display cathode-ray tube, meansfor operating the tube in synchronism with the scanning, and means forsupplying the signals to the tube, whereby a picture of the scene isobtained.

26. In combination, means for imaging radio waves from a scene to bereproduced, a two-dimensional array of radio-Wave pick-up devices uponwhich the radio image may be formed, means for scanning an areasuccessive portions of which correspond to successive pick-up devices inthe array, means controlled in accordance with the scanning forconverting the energy picked up by the successive pick-up devices intocorresponding electrical signals, a display cathode-ray tube, means foroperating the tube in synchronism with the scanning, and means forsupplying the signals to the tube, whereby a picture of the scene isobtained.

27. In combination, means for imaging radio waves from a scene to bereproduced, a radio-wave pick-up device comprising crystal-detectormeans, means for scanning an area successive portions of whichcorrespond to successive portions of the radio-wave image, meanscontrolled in accordance with the scanning for converting the energypicked up by the pick-up device from the diierent portions of the imageinto corresponding electrical signals, an image-reproducing means, meansfor operating the image-reproducing means in synchronism with thescanning, and means for supplying the signals to the image-reproducingmeans, whereby a picture of the scene is obtained. 28. In combination,means for imaging radio waves from a scene, a radio-wave pick-up devicecomprising crystal detector means, means connected to the pick-up devicefor scanning the said radio-wave image and convertng the energy pickedup by the pick-up device during the scanning into electrical signals, adisplay cathoderay tube, means for operating the tube in synchronismwith the scanning, and means for supplying the signals to the tube,whereby a picture of the scene is obtained.

29. In combination, means for imaging radio waves from a scene to bereproduced, a radio-Wave pick-up device, crystal detector means forrectifying the radio waves picked up by the pick-up device, means forscanning an area successive portions of which correspond to successiveportions of the radio-wave image, means controlled in accordance withthe scanning for converting the energy picked up by the pick-up devicefrom the different portions of the image into corresponding electricalsignals, an image-reproducing means, means for operating theimage-reproducing means in synchronism with the scanning, and means forsupplying the signals to the imagereproducing means, whereby a pictureof the scene is obtained.

30. A system comprising means for propagating ultra high-frequencyelectromagnetic energy modulated with a high-frequency wave ofelectro-magnetic energy, a receiving antenna array including a pluralityof closely spaced conductors, an antenna array load impedance connectedto said conductors, means for focusing the point of emanationof thepropagated energy on a small portion of said antenna array, means forprojecting a narrow beam of electrons against said antenna array, meansfor causing said beam of electrons to scan said antenna array, meansforrectifying the electro-magnetic energy received by said antenna array,circuit means forming a closed circiut including said beam of electrons,said antenna conductors, said load impedance and said rectifier means inwhich electron current iiows, amplier means, means for feeding therectified component of said electromagnetic energy to said amplifier,and means for utilizing the amplified output of said amplilier.

3l. A system for transforming a primary image formed by electromagneticwaves into a secondary image formed by other electromagnetic waves, saidsystem comprising a plurality of spaced rectifying elements each havinga conductive surface divided into two portions separated by a rectifyingboundary region, means supporting said rectifying elements in the formof a mosaic lying substantially in the plane of the primary image, eachsaid rectifying element being arranged to have its direction of bestconduction substantially parallel to the plane of the primary image andsaid elements being poled with the conductive direction of each elementthe same as any other with respect to the said plane, whereby theelectriceld variations at any given point in the primary image give riseto alternating currents on the conductive-surface portions of aparticular one of said rectifying elements, thereby accumulating anelectric charge on one side of the corresponding rectifying boundary inproportion to the electric-field intensity at the given point, meansperiodically discharging said rectifying elements in succession, therebyproducing a fluctuating current varying in accordance with the magnitudeof the accumulated charge from element to element, and means producing asecondary image from the information carried by the uctuations in saidcurrent.

32. A system for transforming a primary image formed by radio waves intoa visible secondary image, said system comprising a plurality of spacedradio-wave receiving-and-rectifying elements each having a conductivesurface divided into two antenna portions separated by a rectifyingboundary region, means for impinging the radio waves of the primaryimage upon the receiving-and-rectifying elements, each saidreceiving-and-rectifying element being poled with the conductivedirection of each element the same as any other with respect to theplane of the primary image, whereby the electric ield variations at anygiven point in the primary image give rise to alternating currents onthe antenna portions of a particular one of saidreceiving-and-rectifying elements, thereby accumulating an electriccharge on one side of the corresponding rectifying boundary inproportion to the electric field intensity at the given point, meansperiodically discharging said receiving-and-rectifying elements insuccession, thereby producing a uctuating current varying in accordancewith the magnitude of the accumulated charge from element to element,and means producing a l1 visible secondary image from the -informationcarried by the fluctuations yin said current.

33. A-system for transforming aprimary image Vformed by electromagneticwaves into a secondary image formed by other electromagnetic waves, saidsystem comprising a plurality of spaced electromagnetic-wavereceiving-andrectifying elements each having a conductive surfacedivided into two portions separated by a crystal rectifier, means forimpinging the electromagneticwaves of the primary image upon thereceiVing-and-rectifying elements, each said receiving-and-rectifyingelement being poled with the conductive direction of each element thesame as any other with respect tothe plane of the primary image, wherebythe electric-field variations at any given point in the primary imagegive rise to alternating currents on the conductive-surface portions ofa particular one of said receiving-and-rectifying elements, therebyaccumulating an electric charge on one side of the corresponding crystalrectifier in proportion to the electriciield intensity at the givenpoint, means periodically discharging saidreceiving-and-rectifying.elements in succession, thereby producing auctuating current varyin'g in accordance with the magnitude of theaccumulated charge from element to element, and means producing asecondary image from the information carried by the fluctuations in saidcurrent.

34. A system for transforming a primary image formed by electromagneticwaves into a secondary image formed by other electromagnetic waves, saidsystem comprising an insulating support, a plurality of spacedelectromagneti'c-Wave receiving-and-rectifying elements supported by thesupport each having a conductive surface divided into two portionsseparated by a rectifying boundary region,

.means for impinging the electromagnetic waves of the primary image uponthe receiving-and-rectifying elements, each saidreceivin'g-and-rectifying element being poled with the conductivedirection of each element the same as any other with respect to theplane of the primary image, whereby the electric-field variations at anygiven point in the primary image give rise to alternating currents onthe conductive-surface portions ofa particular one of saidreceiving-and-rectifying elements, thereby accumulating an electriccharge on one side of the correspending rectifying boundary inproportion to the electric-field intensity at the given point, meansperiodically discharging said receivin'g-and-rectifying elements insuccession, thereby producing a fluctuating current varying inaccordance with the magnitude of the accumulated charge from element toelement, and means producing a secondary image from the informationcarried by the ii'uctuations in said current.

35. Apparatus of the character described having, in combination, aninsulating support an area of which is provided with discreet elements,means for producing an electromagnetic image cn the elements, meanssupported by the support for producing an electrostatic charge on eachof the elements varying in accordance with the intensity of the portion'of the electromagnetic image produced thereon, means for scanning theelements in order successively to release the charges in accordance witha predetermined scanning pattern, and 4means responsive to the releasedcharges for forming a visual image.

36. Apparatus of the character described having, in combination, aninsulating support an area of which is provided with discreet elements,means for producing an electromagnetic image on the elements, meanssupported by the support for producing an electrostatic charge on eachof the elements varying in accordance with the i11- tensity of theportion of the electromagnetic image produced thereon, means forimpinging an electron stream successively on the elements to scan theelements in order successively to release the charges, and meansresponsive to the released charges for forming a visual image.

37. In combination, means for imaging radio Waves from a scene to bereproduced, a radio wave pick-up device comprising crystal detectormeans, means for scanL ning the said radio wave image by said pick-updevice and converting the energy thus picked up into an electricalsignal, a facsimile reproducer, means for operating said reproducer insynchronism with 'said scanning,l and means for supplying said signal`to said reproducer whereby picture of said scene is reproduced.

38. In combination, means for imaging radio waves from a scene to bereproduced, a radio wave pick-up device comprising crystal detectormeans, means for scanning the said radio wave image by said pick-updevice and converting the energyfthus picked up into an electricalsignal, an image reproducing means, means for operating said imagereproducing means in synchro-mism with said scanning, and means forsupplying said signal to said reproducing nieans whereby a picture ofsaid scene is obtained. Y

39. A system comprising means for propagating ultrahigh-frequencyelectromagnetic energy modulated with a high-frequency wave ofelectromagnetic energy, a receiv-v ing antenna array including aplurality of closely spaced antenna elements each provided with aconducting circuit, an' antenna array load impedance connected to theantenna element conducting'circuits, means for focusing the point ofemanation of the propagated energy on the antenna elements of the saidantenna array, means for projecting a narrow beam of electrons againstpredetermined portions of the antenna element conducting circuits, meansfor causing said beam of electrons to scan the said predeterminedportions of the antenna element conducting circuits thereby to scan thesaid antenna array, means for rectifying the electromagnetic energyreceived by the antenna elements, circuit means forming a closed circuitincluding said beam of electrons, a portion of said antenna elementconducting circuits and said load impedance 1n which electron currentflows, amplifier means, means for feeding electric energy representativeof the rectified component `of said electromagnetic energy to saidamplifier, and means for utilizing the amplified output of said amplier.f

40. An electric system having, in combination, an oscilloscope-likemember having means for producing an electron stream, a mosaic ofradio-receiving elements each provided with and connected to acorresponding electric circuit comprising a radio-waveabsorbing-and-rectifying element, means for impinging the electronstream on predetermined portions of the radio-receiving element electriccircuits, means for focusing radio energy on the mosaic, means forcausing the electronV stream to scan the said predetermined portions ofthe radio-receiving element electric circuits, means controlled by theradio waves focused on the mosaic for producing varying potentials onthe said predetermined portions of the radio-receiving element electriccircuits, and means controlled by the electron stream, as it scans thesaid predetermined portions of the radio-receiving element electriccircuits, for indicating variations in the current of the electronsti'eam.

4l. A system comprising means for propagating ultra high-frequencyelectromagnetic energy modulated with a high-frequency wave ofelectromagnetic energy, a receiving antenna array including `a pluralityof closely spaced conductors, an antenna array load impedance connectedto said conductors, means for focusing the point of emanation of thepropagated energy on a small portion of said antenna array, means forprojecting a narrow beam of electrons against said antenna array, meansfor causing said beam of electrons to scan said antenna array, means forrectifying the electromagnetic energy received by said antenna array,circuit means forming a closed circuit including said beam of electrons,said antenna conductors, said load impedance and said rectifier means inwhich electron current flows, amplifier means, means for' feeding therectified component of said electromagnetic energy to said amplifier, acathode ray tube having a iluorescent screen, means for projecting abeam Vof electrons against said screen, means for causing said lastmentioned beam of electrons to scan said screen in synchronisrn with thescanning action of said irst beam of electrons, a control grid in saidcathode ray tube, means normally biasing said control grid to Iblock the110W of electrons in said cathode ray tube, a load circuit including aload impedance coup-led to the output of said amplifier means, and meanscoupled to said load circuit for changing the biasing potential on saidcontrol grid to establish a tlow of electrons in said cathode ray tubeWhenever rectified received electromagnetic energy lloWs from saidamplifier through said load circuit.

42. In a radio-current electric system, alternately disposed elements ofmetal and silicon and the like constructed to provide a first element ofsilicon and the like having electrical connections at opposite ends tothe metal elements, the first element being provided'with an electricalconnection to an intermediate point thereof, and at least one of thesaid electrical connections providing for rectifying characteristicswith the said rst element, and means for impinging an electron streamupon at least one of the elements.

43. In a radio-current electric system, alternately disposed elements ofmetal and silicon and the like constructed to provide a first element ofsilicon and the like having electrical connections at opposite ends tothe metal elements, the rst element being provided with an electricalconnection to an intermediate point thereof, and at least one of thesaid electrical connections providing for rectifying characteristicswith the said rst element.

44. Apparatus as claimed in claim 43 and in which the said electricalconnection to the said intermediate point is connected to a groundedelectric circuit.

45. In a current-translating electric system, alternately disposedelements of conductive material and silicon and the like constructed toprovide a rst element of silicon and the like having electricalconnections at opposite ends to the conductive elements, the rst elementbeing provided With an electrical connection to an intermediate pointthereof, and at least one of the said electrical con- 14 nectionsproviding for rectifying characteristics with the said first element.

46. Apparatus as claimed in claim 45 and in which voltage is applied tothe conductive elements and the said electrical connection to the saidintermediate point is connected to a grounded electric circuit.

47. Apparatus as claimed in claim 45 and in which a further electricalconnection is made to the rst element at the surface opposite the saidconnection to the said intermediate point.

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A Comprehensive Treatise on inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, by I.W. Mellor, 1932, page 48, published by Longmans, Green & Co., New York.

